Great Lakes Aquarium
Great Lakes Aquarium
4
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
This freshwater-focused Aquarium is positioned on the harbor of Lake Superior. It features more than 1,000 fish, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Highlights include multiple hands-on and touch exhibits including the largest sturgeon touchpool in North America. New in 2022, the H2O exhibit offering a splash, play and learn interactive experience on the science of water for all ages. Open daily 10am to 6pm.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.0
619 reviews
Excellent
231
Very good
194
Average
121
Poor
53
Terrible
20
Kelly B
Iowa4,376 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
We last visited this aquarium about 10 years ago. It was not very good back then. There just wasn’t much to it.
We went back today, and thought it much improved. More exhibits, including some exotic ocean life. Also several touch tanks.
I felt it was definitely worth the cost this time around.
We went back today, and thought it much improved. More exhibits, including some exotic ocean life. Also several touch tanks.
I felt it was definitely worth the cost this time around.
Written 16 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
miner4315
Negaunee, MI55 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We came with our toddler and infant. Our toddler had an absolute blast! Such fun inclusive exhibits. Her favorite part was the water table exhibit.
Written 13 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris P
Milwaukee, WI121 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Very interesting…not just an aquarium . Had eagle & skunks. Kiddos got to touch fish & experiences. The river otters are entertaining. Can watch the bridge from this location & walk the park area. Unfortunately it was raining while there
Written 28 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iMD10
8 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The aquarium had interesting exhibits though a couple of them were not functioning properly. The hands-on experiences were fun. Great views of Lake Superior and the lift bridge.
Written 28 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer L
6 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
This aquarium is really neat. Lots of touch tanks and fun exhibits. A must see if visiting Duluth. We got to touch moon jellies!!!
Written 25 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenodini13
Belleville, WI49 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Such a fun afternoon to explore this with the family. Especially loved the otters and seahorses. Make sure to visit while in Duluth!
Written 9 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacob
10 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
My wife and I love to visit aquariums around the world and in the US, so on our honeymoon to Duluth, we had to include a stop at this aquarium. We did not have high expectations, but we were pleasantly surprised at how nice this aquarium was! Coming from Chattanooga, where we have the sister aquariums that feel larger than life, we are used to smaller aquariums not living up to that hype. We really enjoyed our visit here, the aquarium had a great layout, had many unique animals and exhibits that we had not seen before, and took us a couple of hours to get through. We were very glad we chose to go!
Written 9 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley R
3 contributions
May 2023 • Family
I have no respect for a business who scams to get more money. The parking lot at the time of our visit was not busy, the locking arm for paid parking was up, all of the other lots in downtown Duluth at the time were still in free parking mode (it starts May 15th), there was one small sign on the locking arm at the entrance, it the locking arm was in the upright position so unless you stopped, you wouldn’t notice it. In our party for a field trip there were 8 families. Not one of the 15 adults in 8 different vehicles noticed we needed to pay. When we bought our tickets at the counter, there was also no mention about paying for parking. No sign on their door. There is a kiosk, but it is off to the side of the entrance and unless you were looking for it you wouldn’t see it. No numbers on the spaces, no sign on the spaces. Nothing. But… they were right on top of giving tickets! The aquarium itself was okay. If I was rating just the aquarium I would give it a 3 for value. It was good, but for $20 a person it was a little steep. A lot of lake fish, which is interesting to see, and they were displayed well, but there wasn’t a lot there for the money. It just seemed like the parking lots ticketing was intentional to get more money and it is difficult to have any respect for the aquarium after scamming for more money.
Written 13 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dragonflyfrisbee
Duluth, MN343 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Very disappointed that 2/3 touch exhibits were closed. It was barely an hour after opening and they didn’t have the jelly fish or star fish tanks open. The only open tank was the sturgeon and the only fish that came near the surface staff said not to touch because it was injured. Very disappointing for our toddler and the adults. The other big disappointment was the otters weren’t out. The rest was fine the large tank is impressive but it’s all local fish. They do have more salt water fish and animals now and that’s really what kids want to see.
Written 7 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lemon_36
Minneapolis, MN148 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Rating the aquarium 5/5 because their staff was incredible. I went solo with my little one and had some trouble with the parking app. The staff truly went out of their way to assist me and above and beyond. It's $20 for an adult ticket but I spent 2.5 hours there. The otter show was really cool, and I got to touch a jelly fish and a sturgeon! Great time on cold winter day.
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MichelleV6
Otsego, MN20 contributions
How long should I plan for?
2000bre
Otsego, MN182 contributions
I would say plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours.
How much is admission?
aiacone
Duluth, MN40 contributions
Regular adult admission is $17.99. Senior 62+: $14.99. Children 3-12: $11.99. Teens 13-17: $$13.99 and children ages 0-2 are free. All tickets are $1 off when pre-purchased online at our website.
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Claim your listingGREAT LAKES AQUARIUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Great Lakes Aquarium
- Great Lakes Aquarium is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 - 18:00
- Hotels near Great Lakes Aquarium:
- (0.23 mi) Pier B Resort
- (0.38 mi) South Pier Inn
- (0.41 mi) Lift Bridge Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection
- (0.48 mi) Hampton Inn Duluth Canal Park
- (0.53 mi) Canal Park Lodge
- Restaurants near Great Lakes Aquarium:
- (0.34 mi) Northern Waters Smokehaus
- (0.30 mi) Bellisio's Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar
- (0.22 mi) Silos
- (0.33 mi) Lake Ave Restaurant & Bar
- (0.43 mi) Vitta Pizza Canal Park